The limit is actually based on maximum floor area (100m^2) served by the circuit, rather than a number of sockets as such. However, while this should not be exceeded, you should still design the circuit taking into account likely loads. So in a kitchen you may decide that a ring of only 10m^2 is "full"
Adding a socket to an existing circuit counts as a "minor work" IIRC and hence is not notifiable.
Not wishing to alarm Grant any more, but one thing I have not seen mentioned yet is performing an insulation resistance check on the current circuit either. Since it sounds as if the place is wired with "older" cables, that could be a another potential problem area.
Unlikely, though. PVC is pretty durable.
However, given that only one circuit was used for the entire house, it is possible that it has been running close to design current at various times, which may have degraded the insulation more than it might otherwise. Apart from this, I'd expect PVC installed even 50 years ago to be in serviceable condition.
Obviously, a periodic test should really involve an insulation test. And it seems that the entire installation could benefit from one.
Christian.
P. R. Brady dropped a zero in his message. He was correct at first with
7/029 as the name but that is seven strands of 0.029 of an inch or 29 thousandths of an inch.Chris.
Don't they just call you up to investigate and fix the results, and claim that it was just a freak accident?
The Regs are completely different and there is no Part P in Scotland.
The Building Standards (Scotland) have always been stricter in that electric wiring has always had to be done to a safe and proper standard. IEE Wiring Regulations are deemed to be a safe and proper standard, but an equivalent is also acceptable.
What will change / has changed is the classes of person who is allowed to sign off a certificate. It used to be anyone could sign a certificate, now it has to be someone registered. However that only applies where a certificate is required i.e. for notifiable work. I
*think* that wiring is not on its own notifiable and so you don't need a certificate. If you were building an extension, which is notifiable, then you would need a certificate as part of getting a building warrant.Unlike English Part P, I don't think council building control officers will inspect wiring for you.
The best thing would be to check with Building Control at the local council.
Owain
Hi,
I have checked the old wire, and yes, it has seven conductors in it (I had previously indicated that I thought it had six).
I plan to replace 3 metres of the existing wire (there isn't very much slack between the two sockets it currently joins) and add another length across the room (2 metres) to a new socket. Then another 3 metres to another socket, finally completing the ring with existing cable which I will cut about 1.5 metres off.
The 32A MCB has "Type 2" written on it and the CU is an old brown plastic Wylex one (other MCBs in the CU have "Type B" written on them). Can I get an RCBO for this or is a new CU required?
Cheers, Grant
Do they look like:
Hi Christian,
They look like these:
After having spoken to Edinburgh City Council they tell me that strictly speaking I should get a Building Warrant but they have never seen one just for adding sockets and wouldn't expect me to apply for one. They suggested I get a competent person to so the work for my own piece of mind.
I also asked about mixing old & new cable (different core colours) and they said that that was perfectly OK as well. I had thought that I needed to add a label to the CU stating that there was a mix but apparently not. Maybe just in other parts of the UK?
Cheers, Grant
The label is called up in an ammendment to BS7671 - so if you are not obliged to work to that then there may be no requirement for it. Having said that it sounds like common sense to add it anyway (not as important on socket circuits, but makes more difference if you are changing any lighting circuits with two way switches, where the three core and earth colours could be a tad confusing!)
Grant wrote: > After having spoken to Edinburgh City Council they tell me > that strictly speaking I should get a Building Warrant but > they have never seen one just for adding sockets and > wouldn't expect me to apply for one. They suggested I > get a competent person to so the work for my own piece of mind.
A pragmatic approach that may seem surprising to those embattled with Part Pee.
The requirement for the warning label is part of the IEE regulations. If you're following the IEE regulations, you need the label.
However the Building Standards (Scotland) do not require the label, merely an equivalent level of safety.
Labels are cheap.
Owain
Something like:
Christian,
Many thanks (again!) for the information.
Cheers, Grant
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